Sad Cypress has a great cast ranging from Diana Quick, Paul McGann, Rupert Penry-Jones and Kelly Reilly.
However despite framing the episode by having the suspect Elinor Carlisle found guilty of murder at the beginning of the episode, it has a leaden pace. The actual murder happens way into this film when the previous shorter episodes of Poirot would had revealed the murderer by then and Hastings and Poirot would be cracking a joke before the end credits roll.
Elinor visits her wealthy ailing aunt living in a mansion. She has bought her fiancé Roddy who is smittened by a young blond lady, Mary who is a friend of the aunt. Doctor Lord visits Poirot because Elinor has received some anonymous letters. Doctor Lord carries a torch for Elinor but she gets heartbroken as Roddy carries on with Mary.
However after her aunt's death Elinor becomes a the sole heir of her estate. Later when Mary is found poisoned, Elinor is the main suspect and she made her bitterness towards Mary rather plain.
I think this adaptation would had worked better in a shorter format. It was just too slow to get going and the reveal was rather messily done and rather contrived. It only livens up when Poirot springs into action to save Elinor from the gallows.
However despite framing the episode by having the suspect Elinor Carlisle found guilty of murder at the beginning of the episode, it has a leaden pace. The actual murder happens way into this film when the previous shorter episodes of Poirot would had revealed the murderer by then and Hastings and Poirot would be cracking a joke before the end credits roll.
Elinor visits her wealthy ailing aunt living in a mansion. She has bought her fiancé Roddy who is smittened by a young blond lady, Mary who is a friend of the aunt. Doctor Lord visits Poirot because Elinor has received some anonymous letters. Doctor Lord carries a torch for Elinor but she gets heartbroken as Roddy carries on with Mary.
However after her aunt's death Elinor becomes a the sole heir of her estate. Later when Mary is found poisoned, Elinor is the main suspect and she made her bitterness towards Mary rather plain.
I think this adaptation would had worked better in a shorter format. It was just too slow to get going and the reveal was rather messily done and rather contrived. It only livens up when Poirot springs into action to save Elinor from the gallows.